Bestop Soft Top Door Clamp?

[JeepNStein]

Newbie here. 99 TJ. The door clamps/seals/hardware (not sure what the correct terminology is) that tighten the soft top and attach above the driver and passenger doors do not hold in place when driving at highway speeds with the driver and passenger windows unzipped all the way and the rear window rolled up. Is there a repair or other fix to ensure the plastic hardware clamps down and stays in place? I was concerned that the top would blow off or other damage would happen to the soft top. Hoping a repair can be made rather than buying a new top. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[nk24]

The plastic door surrounds have two bolts with large knobs that hold them in place to the roll bar. Are you missing these knobs?

(Not my photo, but here's an example)

 

[JeepNStein]

Yes.. I do have those. They were loose. I was able to tighten down the passenger side and that appears to help.. I was able to tighten the drivers side down a bit as well. Perhaps that will resolve it.

 

[nk24]

Are the two clamps on the front of the top fully snapped into the top of the windshield? It should take some force to close the latch.

Are the plastic tabs on the sides of the soft top fully tucked into the slits on the door surrounds?

Photos would help.

 

[JeepNStein]

Are the two clamps on the front of the top fully snapped into the top of the windshield? It should take some force to close the latch.

Are the plastic tabs on the sides of the soft top fully tucked into the slits on the door surrounds?

Photos would help.

Yes to both questions. I think the problem was the knobs needed tightening. I can move the tabs a little with the door open or closed now, but not as far as before. Noticeable improvement. Thank you for your help. I'll try it out again at highway speeds to see if that solved the issue.

 

[JeepNStein]

BTW - Is it typical for the top to bow outward with the flow of air thru the cabin? Perhaps that is related to the loose knobs issue.

 

[rouxbicon]

BTW - Is it typical for the top to bow outward with the flow of air thru the cabin? Perhaps that is related to the loose knobs issue

Absolutely normal. When you have the top fully buttoned up, air will flow into the cabin through the hvac system and tend to "inflate" the top, unless you have the hvac set to recirculate. This is usually considered a good thing, as it tends to marginally reduce flapping of the top and associated wind noise.

Setting the hvac to recirculate will cause the top to relax inward instead of out, due to aerodynamics. Flapping and wind noise will usually be a little more noticeable when this is the case

 

[JeepNStein]

Absolutely normal. When you have the top fully buttoned up, air will flow into the cabin through the hvac system and tend to "inflate" the top, unless you have the hvac set to recirculate. This is usually considered a good thing, as it tends to marginally reduce flapping of the top and associated wind noise.

Setting the hvac to recirculate will cause the top to relax inward instead of out, due to aerodynamics. Flapping and wind noise will usually be a little more noticeable when this is the case

Thanks for the response!

 

[JeepNStein]

Yes to both questions. I think the problem was the knobs needed tightening. I can move the tabs a little with the door open or closed now, but not as far as before. Noticeable improvement. Thank you for your help. I'll try it out again at highway speeds to see if that solved the issue.

Thanks for your help with this. Much Appreciated!